Marriage as a Transaction: Inside Nigeria’s growing trend of men comparing wedding costs

  • A new trend sees men requesting “marriage lists” from multiple women, viewing the age-old institution through a distinctly financial lens
  • This practice, driven by rising costs and economic realities, turns marriage into a calculated transaction, sparking ethical questions about love, worth, and tradition
  • As financial considerations increasingly shape personal choices, the delicate balance between practicality and partnership is more crucial than ever

In recent years, marriage—a tradition rooted in time and ritual—has morphed in response to the pressures of shifting social values and economic strains.

Nowhere is this more evident than in the rising trend in Nigeria where men seek “marriage lists” from multiple women before committing to a union.